Sanitizing device for tool and cart handles

ABSTRACT

The sanitizing device for tool and cart handles is designed to rest on a base mount attached to the tool handle. When the user wants to use the sanitizing device they move the device from its rest position, spray sanitizing solution onto the desired surface area of the tool or cart handle, then slide the device along the handle to sanitize and/or disinfect it. The device includes a sponge which aids in the thorough sanitization of the desired surface area. In addition to sanitizing tool or cart handle, the device allows the user to direct the sanitizing spray into their hands to eliminate or minimize the transfer or spread of communicable pathogens. The fluid reservoir may be refillable or, alternatively, the fluid reservoir may be disposable and replaceable when the fluid is depleted.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/071,786, filed Oct. 3, 2014 and entitled “Sanitizing HandleBrush,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/125,550, filedJan. 26, 2015 and entitled “Sani Slide.” The prior applications arefully incorporated herein by reference and priority is claimed withrespect thereto to the extent permitted by law.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to sanitizing implements. More particularly,this invention relates to devices utilized to sanitizing cleaning tools.

BACKGROUND

Hand-operated tools and carts often have many different users. Thehandles of such hand-operated devices may contain high levels ofbacteria, germs and viruses. Exposure to such pathogens poses apotential health hazard to users. While sanitary gloves, anti-bacterialwipes and prophylactic barriers may provide some protection topathogenic exposure for an individual user, they are expensive andinconvenient for multiple different users.

Thus, there is a need in the art for a cost effective, functional andeasy-to-use portable system to sanitize and/or disinfect the handles ofhand-operated tools and carts as well as the hands of the user.

SUMMARY

In certain example embodiments described herein, a portable deviceprovides for efficiently and economically sanitizing and/or disinfectingthe handles of hand-operated tools and carts as well as the hands of theuser.

A sanitizing device comprising:

-   -   a fluid reservoir mounted in    -   a snap-in holder.

In another aspect, whereby said device is portable from one tool or carthandle to another.

In another aspect, further comprising:

-   -   a spray cap attached to an end of the reservoir.

In another aspect, further comprising:

-   -   a sponge mount region on an undersurface of the snap-in holder.

In another aspect, further comprising:

-   -   a sponge attached to the sponge mount region on an undersurface        of the snap-in holder.

In another aspect, wherein the snap-in holder further comprises:

-   -   a forward set of locking arms integrally associated therewith.

In another aspect, wherein the snap-in holder further comprises:

-   -   a rear locking protrusion connected to either side of a main        body of the snap-in holder having an opening bounded by the rear        locking protrusion and the main body thereof.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir further comprises:

-   -   a forward recessed portion.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir further comprises:

-   -   a rear recessed portion.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir further comprises:

-   -   a forward spray cap attachment portion.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir further comprises:

-   -   a forward recessed portion and    -   a rear recessed portion.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir further comprises:

-   -   a forward recessed portion and    -   a forward spray cap attachment portion.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir further comprises:

-   -   a forward recessed portion    -   a rear recessed portion and    -   a forward spray cap attachment portion.

An equipment cleansing apparatus comprising:

-   -   a curved top portion integrally associated with a curved main        body cleaning portion having    -   a reservoir locking system.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir locking system furthercomprises:

-   -   a rear locking protrusion connected to either side of a curved        main body having an opening bounded by the rear locking        protrusion and the curved top portion thereof.

In another aspect, wherein the reservoir locking system furthercomprises:

-   -   a forward set of locking arms integrally associated therewith.

In another aspect, further comprising

-   -   a reservoir mounted in the reservoir locking system.

In another aspect, further comprising:

-   -   a flexible material attachment region located on the curved main        body cleaning portion.

In another aspect, further comprising:

-   -   a flexible cleaning material attached to the flexible material        attachment region on the curved main body cleaning portion.

A disinfecting system comprising:

-   -   a mounting device separably attached to    -   a reservoir having    -   a spray cap attached at an end of the reservoir    -   a narrow region of the reservoir underneath the spray cap is        attached to    -   a snap in device integrally associated with the mounting device.

These and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of theexample embodiments will become apparent to those having ordinary skillin the art upon consideration of the following detailed description ofillustrated example embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric top-front view depicting one embodiment of thehandle sanitizing device of the invention presented herein.

FIG. 2 is an isometric side view depicting the reservoir of the handlesanitizing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The device described herein enables the user to efficiently sanitizeand/or disinfect the handle of a hand-operated tool such as a mop orbroom, or the handle of a hand-operated cart such as a dolly or shoppingcart. The device further enables the user to control the flow of thesanitizing and/or disinfecting solution, thereby allowing the user toconveniently sanitize their own hands so as not to transfer or spread ofany communicable pathogens. The device is portable and can be easilymoved from one tool or cart handle to another, thereby enhancing itscost effectiveness.

The functionality of the various example embodiments will be explainedin the following descriptions, read in conjunction with the figuresillustrating the devices in detail.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an isometric top-front view depicting one embodiment of thesanitizing device of the invention presented herein. In this exampleembodiment, the sanitizing device most generally comprises a plasticsnap-in holder 11 which securely locks clear plastic fluid reservoir 12in place. The device may be clamped around the handle of a tool or carthandle with nominal diameter between ⅞ inches and 1¼ inches or similarsuch dimensions. A bottom portion of snap-in holder 11 is partiallycircular having a mouth 14 that permits the insertion of tools andhandles for cleansing. Small inwardly projecting edge(s) 14A runslongitudinally down the inner surface of the mouth 14 of the of the snapin holder 11 near the furthest extreme bottom portion of the mouth 14. Adisposable/replaceable internal sponge 14B is attached to the innercurved surface of the snap in holder 11 bottom portion via an adhesiveaffixed to the back thereof. The internal sponge 14B abuts the smallinwardly projecting edge(s) 14A forming convenient borders for easyplacement within the mouth 14 of the holder 11. The two ends of thebottom portion of snap in holder 11 extend outwards at their respectiveends.

The top portion of the snap in holder 11 is formed by a correspondingcurved oblong top side that is integral with the bottom portion and hastwo protruding ends; a first end has two raised snap in arms 15 curvingaway from then into and upwards and then abruptly extending outwards attheir respective ends; a recessed portion 17 of reservoir 12 fits withinthe two arms 15. A second end of the snap in holder 11 has an openingbounded by a curved integrally formed shape 16 extending from a side ofthe top portion of the snap in holder 11 to another side thereof; arecessed portion 18 of reservoir 12 fits within the opening bounded by acurved integrally formed shape 16.

It should be understood that a large main body of the reservoir 12 has aconcave bottom shape that is designed to sit atop the top main convexportion (curved oblong top side) of the snap in holder 11; also thereservoir has recessed end portions 17, 18 so that these slide withinthe two arms 15 or within the curved shape 16 respectively. It shouldalso be evident that the reservoir 12 is a generally oblong curvedcontainer having one top curved wall and a curved bottom wall thatintegrates along two respective edges as well two similar smallerrecessed portions 17, 18 that integrate therewith along appropriateedges to the top and bottom curved walls and with the spout at recessedportion 17; two end walls integrates with the recessed portions 17, 18.

A forward portion of the reservoir 12 has a circular angled spout havingan external thread for attachment of a spray cap 13 having acorresponding internal thread for the mounting thereto; this spoutextends out from a top of the recessed portion 17. When the user wantsto sanitize and/or disinfect tool or cart handle, they lift the devicefrom its rest position, press spray cap 13 to release sanitizing and/ordisinfecting solution onto the desired surface area of the tool or carthandle, and slide the mouth of the snap-in holder 11 across the desiredsurface area they have chosen to sanitize and/or disinfect. On the innerbottom part of snap-in holder 11 is internal sponge 14 which aids in thethorough sanitization and/or disinfection of the desired surface area.After the user has sanitized the handle, they may twist spray cap 13 intheir direction to properly spray the solution into their hands, thussanitizing their hands and preventing the chance for transfer or spreadof any communicable pathogens.

When the user has completed sanitizing and/or disinfecting the tool orcart handle and their hands, the device may be slid to a position whereit rests until its next use. Fluid reservoir 12 may be refillable whenthe fluid is depleted. Alternatively, fluid reservoir 12 may bedisposable and replaceable when the fluid is depleted.

FIG. 2 is an isometric side view depicting the fluid reservoir of thehandle sanitizing device of example embodiment in FIG. 1 as thereservoir 12 is being removed from the snap in holder 11. A forwardrecessed end 17 and a rear recessed end 18 are narrower then the mainbody of the reservoir. Thus, as the length of the reservoir bodyapproaches a forward or rear transition point the sides thereof abruptlyreduce in size and are shaped appropriately so as to enable them to fitbetween the arms 15 and the curved bound opening 16. The bottom of thereservoir 12 is concave and follows a curved convex shape of the topportion of the snap in holder 11.

The fluid reservoir includes spray cap 13 which may be rotatable toallow the user to spray sanitizing and/or disinfecting fluid on the toolor cart handle as well as their hands. The fluid reservoir containssolution holding area 22 which may be refillable when the fluid isdepleted. Alternatively, the fluid reservoir may be disposable andreplaceable when the fluid is depleted. The fluid reservoir may alsocontain internal sponge 23 which, used in conjunction with internalsponge 14 on snap-in holder 11, aids in the thorough sanitization and/ordisinfection of the desired surface area of the tool or cart handle.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanitizing device comprising: a fluid reservoirmounted in a snap-in holder.
 2. The sanitizing device of claim 1 wherebysaid device is portable from one tool or cart handle to another.
 3. Thesanitizing device of claim 1, further comprising: a spray cap attachedto an end of the reservoir.
 4. The sanitizing device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a sponge mount region on an undersurface of the snap-inholder.
 5. The sanitizing device of claim 4, further comprising: asponge attached to the sponge mount region on an undersurface of thesnap-in holder.
 6. The sanitizing device of claim 1, wherein the snap-inholder further comprises: a forward set of locking arms integrallyassociated therewith.
 7. The sanitizing device of claim 1, wherein thesnap-in holder further comprises: a rear locking protrusion connected toeither side of a main body of the snap-in holder having an openingbounded by the rear locking protrusion and the main body thereof.
 8. Thesanitizing device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir further comprises: aforward recessed portion.
 9. The sanitizing device of claim 1, whereinthe reservoir further comprises: a rear recessed portion.
 10. Thesanitizing device of claim 1, wherein the reservoir further comprises: aforward spray cap attachment portion.
 11. The sanitizing device of claim1, wherein the reservoir further comprises: a forward recessed portionand a rear recessed portion.
 12. The sanitizing device of claim 1,wherein the reservoir further comprises: a forward recessed portion anda forward spray cap attachment portion.
 13. The sanitizing device ofclaim 1, wherein the reservoir further comprises: a forward recessedportion a rear recessed portion and a forward spray cap attachmentportion.
 14. An equipment cleansing apparatus comprising: a curved topportion integrally associated with a curved main body cleaning portionhaving a reservoir locking system.
 15. The equipment cleansing apparatusof claim 14, wherein the reservoir locking system further comprises: arear locking protrusion connected to either side of a curved main bodyhaving an opening bounded by the rear locking protrusion and the curvedtop portion thereof.
 16. The equipment cleansing apparatus of claim 14,wherein the reservoir locking system further comprises: a forward set oflocking arms integrally associated therewith.
 17. The equipmentcleansing apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a reservoir mountedin the reservoir locking system.
 18. The equipment cleansing apparatusof claim 14, further comprising: a flexible material attachment regionlocated on the curved main body cleaning portion.
 19. The equipmentcleansing apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a flexible cleaningmaterial attached to the flexible material attachment region on thecurved main body cleaning portion.
 20. A disinfecting system comprising:a mounting device separably attached to a reservoir having a spray capattached at an end of the reservoir a narrow region of the reservoirunderneath the spray cap is attached to a snap in device integrallyassociated with the mounting device.